Williams, Renee (OST) hOT-- OST- / ^9^ - ^Z' ^ 9-

From: Charlie Fahd [cfahd@massenahospital.org] ft: r^>-!:j^ 

Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 4:30 PM '^'^ '^oS ^ 

To: Williams, Renee (OST) ' ^ ^o 3 

Cc: Chuck Raiti; supervisor@town.massena.ny.us •""" m^^Om 

Subject: Fw: Support for Cape Air -Q ^5^ ^ 

Dear Ms. Williams: — c/3 

The comments in the e-mail referenced below to Joseph Gray, Supervisor, Town of Massena, NY are in support of retaining Cape Air 

as the Essential Air Service carrier for Massena NY. There has been significant discussion over the past few weeks regarding the need 

to look for an airline to service the north country that has bigger planes, pressurized cabins and scheduled flights to a larger airport. 

Massena, unfortunately, has been down that route before, when US Air offered commuter service to Pittsburgh, PA. More recently 

we experienced the services or lack thereof, of Big Sky Airlines who flew several times a day to Boston. I personally used both of 

those airlines extensively an found them to be expensive, rarely on-time, (especially the Boston route), utilizing equipment that often 

required repair resulting in delayed or canceled departures. I must admit that I have absolutely no experience with Gulfstream 

Airlines. However, in speaking with members of the Massena Town Council it has become evident that Gulfstream appears to have 

some issues as well, relating to financial viability and SAFETY. Gulfstream also stated during their presentation to the Town Board 

that they would offer competitive fares. I guess only a few people attending the meeting also heard that they would charge a $30.00 

per bag check-in fee. There goes the competitive rates! Cape Air has NO baggage fees. Albany, NY has been the preferred 

connection city (via survey) for north country fliers for years. I do not believe it has changed. 

Massena has a new airport terminal, free parking and one of the nicest small airports in northern NY. The airport terminal in 

Ogdensburg, the stated preferred starting point for Gulfstream, is essentially "a Dump" and as CEO of our community hospital, I 

would be embarrassed to have a potential recruit fly into or out of that facility. It is obvious that these decisions become very 

personalized and emotional. The bottom line is that Cape Air has provided us with excellent service, at a reasonable government 

subsidy, utilizing small but adequate aircraft, extremely friendly dedicated staff at fair rates. Bigger is not always better and I 

sincerely hope that the decision makers at the DOT will seriously consider retaining Cape Air as the EAS carrier for Massena, NY 

and the remainder of the north country. 

Sincerely, 

Charles F. Fahd II 

Original Message 

From: Charlie Fahd 

To: supervisor®town.massena.ny.us 

Cc: Dan Wolf 

Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 4:17 PM 

Subject: Support for Cape Air 

Supervisor Gray: 

Please accept this letter of support to retain Cape Air as the EAS provider for Massena. During the period of time that Cape Air has 

provided EAS to the North Country we have enjoyed a first rate regional airline and excellent service. I have been a biweekly/monthly utilizer of air service out of Massena for nearly 14 years and without question. Cape Air provides the best customer 

service, the most reasonable rates, the most convenient and reliable flight schedules and all around superior service that I have 

experienced. I have no need nor desire to fly to Boston. We experienced that with Big Sky and it was a disaster. The weather in 

Boston is not always reliable and history shows that commuter flights from anywhere do not get priority landings or take-offs. More 

than likely the flights are canceled. We would all like larger aircraft, but NOT at the risk of trading Cape Air for another provider. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, 

Charlie Fahd